Tuesday News Brief

STREAM DATA CENTER PROJECT CONTINUES THROUGH REVIEW PROCESS

Officials involved with the proposed STREAM U.S. Data Centers project at the STAMP site in the Town of Alabama say there is currently no set timeline for final approval as environmental review work continues.
The nearly 20-billion-dollar proposal would create a 500-megawatt data center campus at the STAMP industrial park in Alabama, New York and has drawn significant public opposition throughout the approval process.
Mark Masse, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, said the project is still undergoing State Environmental Quality Review analysis and emphasized the process remains ongoing with no firm deadline.
Town officials say multiple meetings are scheduled in June as local boards continue reviewing the proposal and coordinating with GCEDC and STREAM representatives.
Masse also confirmed the company has removed large backup generators from the proposal, saying STREAM believes existing high-voltage power infrastructure will provide reliable enough service without them.
The project has become one of the most debated developments in Genesee County in recent years, with supporters highlighting economic development potential while critics continue raising environmental and infrastructure concerns.

BATAVIA POLICE REPORT STRING OF ARRESTS ACROSS THE CITY

Batavia Police Department made numerous arrests over the past week involving burglary, drug possession, trespassing, animal cruelty, and harassment cases throughout the city.
One of the most serious incidents involved 21-year-old Aavion Bethel of Attica, who was charged with burglary, criminal contempt, reckless driving, unlawful fleeing police, and several other offenses after allegedly forcing his way into an East Main Street residence in violation of an order of protection. Police say Bethel then fled in a vehicle, leading officers on a pursuit that ended on Putnam Road before he was arrested after a foot chase.
Police also report that 39-year-old Elizabeth Lindner of Batavia was arrested six separate times between May 12th and May 18th on charges including trespassing, criminal trespass, soliciting, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Other arrests included Tonya Weber, accused of stealing a cellphone on Jackson Street and allegedly striking an officer during her arrest, Heather Pehrson, charged with animal cruelty after allegedly striking a dog numerous times, and Billie Harper, accused of keying a vehicle on Jackson Street.
Additional arrests involved allegations of cocaine possession, menacing during a domestic dispute, violating orders of protection, and trespassing inside the former Continental School of Beauty building on East Main Street. Several suspects were released on appearance tickets, while others were arraigned in Batavia City Court or CAP Court.

Stuart Steiner Theater

GCC STAFF, FACULTY RECEIVE TOP SUNY HONORS

Five members of the Genesee Community College faculty and staff have received SUNY Chancellor’s Awards recognizing outstanding service, teaching, and professional achievement.
The awards honor exceptional contributions to higher education across the State University of New York system.
Among those recognized were Tara Freitag for excellence in adjunct teaching, Susane Nugent for classified service, Dr. Christopher Caputi for faculty service, Jessica Hibbard for professional service, and Stephanie Ortel for excellence in teaching.
College President Dr. Craig Lamb praised the group, saying their passion, innovation, and commitment to student success represent the very best of GCC.
The SUNY Chancellor’s Award is considered one of the highest honors within the SUNY system.

Photo Courtesy of the Scafetta Family

LE ROY TWINS RECEIVE YOUTH HUNTING CONSERVATION AWARD

Weston and Gunner Humphrey of Le Roy have been named the 2026 recipients of the Louis “Grizz” Scafetta Memorial Award during a ceremony held recently in Byron.
The award honors young hunters who demonstrate a commitment to ethical hunting, conservation, and outdoor traditions, and includes a New York State lifetime hunting license for each recipient.
The Humphrey twins were selected from applicants across Genesee County based on hunting experience, community involvement, conservation knowledge, and sportsmanship.
Both are active in local athletics, fishing, and trap shooting, and have completed New York State hunter education requirements.
The Louis “Grizz” Scafetta Memorial Award is a Genesee County nonprofit initiative aimed at encouraging youth participation in safe and ethical hunting traditions.

TRUMP PUSHES TO EXPAND ABRAHAM ACCORDS AS IRAN TALKS CONTINUE

President Donald Trump says any future agreement with Iran should also include expanded participation in the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements aimed at normalizing relations with Israel.
In a social media post Monday, Trump said negotiations with Iran are “proceeding nicely” but argued countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, and Jordan should join the accords as part of a broader regional agreement.
The Abraham Accords were first established during Trump’s first term in 2020 when the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agreed to normalize relations with Israel.
Trump also suggested Iran itself could eventually become part of the agreements if negotiations move forward successfully.
The comments come as the administration continues high-stakes talks tied to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the conflict involving Iran.

OFFICIALS SAY RISK OF EXPLOSION AT CALIFORNIA CHEMICAL PLANT HAS BEEN REDUCED

Fire officials in Southern California say the immediate risk of a catastrophic explosion at a damaged chemical tank in Garden Grove has now been eliminated following an overnight inspection.
Authorities say a crack in the tank helped relieve pressure and cool the chemical inside, methyl methacrylate, which is used in the production of plastic aircraft components.
Despite the positive update, evacuation orders remain in place for roughly 50-thousand residents as crews continue monitoring the situation. Officials say there has been no chemical leak so far, but public safety concerns remain ongoing.
Firefighters have spent days spraying water on the tank after it overheated and began venting vapors Thursday.
Health officials warn exposure to the chemical can cause respiratory and skin irritation, though they say people may smell the chemical from long distances without being harmed.
The tank is located at a facility operated by GKN Aerospace, a British aerospace supplier that manufactures aircraft cockpit windows and other aviation components.

Photo Courtesy of Kristin Smith/The Batavian

SECTIONAL BASEBALL ACTION CONTINUES ACROSS THE AREA

Section V baseball sectionals continued this weekend with several local teams battling for spots in the semifinals.
In Class B2, Le Roy Central School District saw its season come to an end in a hard-fought 4-3 loss to East Rochester. Jagger Smith scored twice and stole four bases for the Knights, while Simon Greene nearly tied the game in the seventh on a deep drive that was caught at the warning track.
In Class C1, Pembroke Central School District rolled into the semifinals with a 10-0 win over Letchworth in five innings. Brayden Lang struck out seven in a complete-game shutout, while Anthony Abbatiello, PJ Reeves, and Mason Weatherbee each drove in runs. Pembroke now advances to face top-seeded Gananda Tuesday.
In Class D, Elba Central School District defeated Andover-Whitesville 7-3 to advance to the sectional semifinals. Gavin Hall led the offense with two RBIs, while Mason Vigiano, Nick Scott, and Alex Rascoe combined on the mound in the win. Elba will now face Fillmore Wednesday at Houghton University.
Meanwhile in Class A, Batavia City School District dropped a tough 1-0 decision to top-seeded Pittsford Sutherland despite a strong pitching performance from Maggio Buchholz, who struck out 10 in the loss.

LOCAL SOFTBALL TEAMS ADVANCE THROUGH SECTIONALS

Section V softball sectionals continued through the weekend with several local teams making deep postseason runs.
In Class A, Batavia rolled past Wayne 13-2 despite cold rain and difficult conditions at Gates Chili High School. Libby Grazioplene homered and drove in two runs, while Arianna Almekinder struck out nine as Batavia advanced to Wednesday’s semifinal against Honeoye Falls-Lima at Genesee Community College.
In Class B2, Le Roy erupted offensively in a 17-6 upset win over Marion-Gananda. Kylie Wilson went 5-for-5 with two home runs, while Bryar Biracree struck out 14 as the Knights advanced to the sectional semifinals.
Attica saw its season come to an end in a narrow 5-4 loss to top-seeded Mynderse after jumping out to an early four-run lead.
In Class D2, Elba defeated Notre Dame 6-2 in a rivalry matchup behind a strong performance from Madison Marks and a complete-game effort from Brea Smith.
And in Class D1, Oakfield-Alabama dominated Arkport-Canaseraga 12-0 as Savannah Durham recorded her 200th career strikeout during another dominant postseason win.